The paper, which Rubinstein co-authored with consultant Nathan Good, is entitled "Privacy by Design: A Counterfactual Analysis of Google and Facebook Privacy Incidents," and tests the belief held by many regulators that "privacy by design" enhances consumer privacy by undertaking a counterfactual analysis. Rubinstein and Good developed a set of design principles based on Fair Information Practices, the basis of all national privacy laws, and determined whether Google and Facebook would have averted 5 incidents each if the companies had implemented these principles.

For their work, Rubinstein and Good will receive a cash prize and travel expenses to a conference of Chief Privacy Officers, where they will present the paper and formally receive the award. Their paper will also be included in "Privacy Papers for Policymakers," a compilation of abstracts which will be distributed to regulators in the United States and abroad.